Comedy in NYC This Week

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The stand-up comedian Ted Alexandro.CreditCreditComedy Cellar

By Elise Czajkowski

June 29, 2017

Our guide to stand-up, improv and variety shows.

TED ALEXANDRO at the Comedy Cellar at the Village Underground (July 3; 7 and 9 p.m.). Mr. Alexandro is a fixture of the New York stand-up scene and a frequent presence on the late-night comedy shows, known for his sharp political wit and knack for memorable storytelling. Now, in his 25th year as a comedian, he is using a pair of performances here, at 7 and 9 p.m. on Monday, to tape his third stand-up special, “Senior Class of Earth,” which he hopes to release later this year.212-254-3480, comedycellar.com

KATE BERLANT at Joe’s Pub (July 2, 9:30 p.m.). Ms. Berlant’s surreal comedy, which has an energy that echoes motivational seminars and one-woman shows but is studded with sharp punch lines, continues to impress in New York’s alternative stand-up scene. As she demonstrates in her episode of the Netflix showcase series “The Characters,” she is capable of both embodying and piercing the sometimes pretentious worlds of art and culture. At Joe’s Pub, she will perform her regular Los Angeles show, “Communikate.”212-967-7555, publictheater.org

‘DYLAN BRODY’S DRIVING HOLLYWOOD’ at the Peoples Improv Theater (July 6-8, 7:30 p.m.; through July 22). The comedian, storyteller and writer Dylan Brody tours his latest work, a one-man show that revisits his rambunctious childhood in Schuylerville, N.Y., and his later challenges as an entertainer in Los Angeles. The show, directed by Nancy Carlin, explores success, fame and art in a series of stories with wit and pathos.212-563-7488, thepit-nyc.com

INDIEFEST 2017 at the Peoples Improv Theater (July 4). Every year the PIT hosts this combination potluck, barbecue and improv festival on Independence Day. The theater invites independent improv teams — that is, teams not formed by or associated with a particular improv school or theater — from around the country to participate in a full day of shows (more than 50 teams are scheduled to perform over the 12 hours of festivities).212-563-7488, thepit-nyc.com

MOVIES R DUMB PRESENTS: ‘INDEPENDENCE DAY’ at Q.E.D. (July 3, 9 p.m.). Chris Gersbeck and FreddyG invite comedians to riff on terrible movies in this celebration of awful cinema. In honor of the Fourth of July, this month’s movie is the 1996 action spectacular “Independence Day.” The hosts will be joined by Frank Conniff, one of the cast members of the original incarnation of the bad-film show “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” as well as the comedians Myka Fox and Carolina Hidalgo.347-451-3873, qedastoria.com

‘THE NAKED SHOW’ at the Creek and the Cave (June 30, 11:59 p.m.). This provocative twist on the stand-up show encourages comedians to bare both their souls and their bodies by performing naked. (Nudity for audience members is optional, and photography and filming are strictly prohibited.) Hosted by Alison Klemp, the show features Myq Kaplan, whose new album, “No Kidding,” was released in February, and the musical comedy duo Sam & Bill, who recently released their first album, “Sam & Bill Are Huge.” Other stand-ups include Vanetta Schoefield, Cres Hernandez, Kelli Dunham and Ali Clayton.646-944-9255, creeklic.com